Life-raft.



R. H. GILBERT.

LIFE RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. l9l5. 1 ,1 91 ,417. Patented July 18, 1916.

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n. H. GILBERT.

LIFE RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. l9l5.

1,191,417. Patented July 18, 191

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akto'nnuap ROBERT I-I. GILBERT, OF ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN.

LIFE-RAFT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1916.

Application filed November 8, 1915. Serial No. 60,365.

State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Rafts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention is directed to im- I necessary implements and also to provide a compartment for storing food whereby persons may remain on the raft for days.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in the novel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangementof parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the raft when not in use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the sail in place. Fig.8 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar view on line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 2.

The body 1 of the raft is formed from cork and has fixed to its upper surfacea deck 2, preferably formed from wood, said deck having side and end edges extending slightly beyond the respective sides and ends of the cork body 1. The bodyl'has its ends curved so as to offer minimum resistance in the water when the raft is being rowed.

A covering of water proof canvas 3 is placed over the body 1' and'has its ends and side edges fixed to the sides and ends of the deck 2 by metallic strips 4, which are secured in any suitable mannerrto the sides and ends of the deck. To hold the covering 3 in tight engagement with the bottom of the cork body 1, wooden strips 5 are provided and extend longitudinally of the body 1, and

' have their ends engaged under the strips 4' carried by the ends of the deck 2. The strips 5 are also secured throughout their length to the bottom of the body 1, by bolts or other suitable securing devices. Thus it will be seen that the covering will protect the cork body 1, but will not in any way interfere with the buoyancy thereof.

Formed longitudinally of the body 1 is a compartment 6, which registers with the opening 7 formed in the deck 2, saidcompartment being normally closed by the cover 8. The cover is held against accidental displacement by cross bars 9 which are engaged in the staples 10, said staples being located adjacent the sides of the opening 7 as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. A similarly constructed compartment 11 is provided, and is for containing water and provisions, and is normally closed by a cover 12 which is held in place by cross bars similar to the cross bars 9. The compartment 7 serves to contain a set of oars, boat hook, a mast and sail, or any other devices which may be deemed necessary.

Mounted on the deck 2 and adjacent one end thereof is a block 13, said block being provided with a socket 14 which is adapted to receive the lower end of the mast'15, said mast being held in the socket 14 by the pin cured transversely of the deck 2.

Fixed adjacent the longitudinal edges of the deck 2 are blocks 21, which support the oar locks 22, and which are engaged by oars when it is desired to row the raft. A block 23 is fixed adjacent the rear edges of the deck 2 and is also provided with an oar lock 24 for engagement by an car, which is adapted to serve as a rudder. A plurality of spaced eyes 25 extend longitudinally and transversely of the deck 2 for engagement by the life rope 26, and since the life rope is arranged adjacent the edges of the deck 2 it is obvious that a person in the'water can grasp the rope and hang thereto untillifted in the life boats, and are compelled to jump into the Water may hang to the life rope until lifted on board the raft. The deck 2 is provided adjacent one end with a compass 27, Which is at all times in place so as to be ready for use when necessary.

What I claim is: A life raft comprising a cork body, a deck secured to the upper surface of the said 10 body, a covering of Water proof fabric en- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

gaged With the body, and means for secur ing the edges of the covering to the edges of the deck and to the bottom of the body.

In testimony whereof, I afiiX my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

ROBERT H. GILBERT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE GLEAsoN, JUSTIN LE SAGE.

Washington, D. 0. 

